Enjoy these homemade herbal honey lollipops with elderberry and rose hips. Honey tea spoon lollipops are incredibly easy, only require a few ingredients and are so versatile. They can be used as honey stirrers for tea, as a party favor, and they're a great way to give herbs to your little ones, a cough drop or sore throat remedy, or a perfect all natural lollipop!

Why you should make all natural candy:

While it may seem intimidating at first, making your own candy at home is simple and fun. We find it so enjoyable, I've created a whole section on the blog for homemade candy recipes. If you're trying to enjoy more elderberry, you may love these elderberry gummy bears. You may love these herbal chamomile marshmallows. We also love our homemade lavender vanilla honey lollipops, made very similarly to these. Making these at home will also save you a lot of money!

Also, try this elderberry cough syrup and elderberry spiced tea.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m under the weather, I always boil some water and sip on tea all throughout the day. And although honey is sweet and delicious, I don’t enjoy eating it by the spoonful. So I pop one of these spoons in my tea, let it dissolve while my tea steeps. And my kids like to eat them like lollies. Perfect cough drops, but cute and natural!

Benefits of rose hips & elderberries:

Rose hips have powerful antioxidant properties thanks to it's high levels of polyphenols, carotenoids, and are rich in vitamins C & E. Trusted Source

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis. Research shows that it can be an effective antiviral against the flu. In one study, 60 people who were suffering from symptoms were enrolled into two groups: placebo or elderberry treatment patients. Results showed that those taking the remedy had much faster recovery times (they felt better 4 days sooner than with traditionally prescribed medication!) - suggesting its effectiveness may not just be folklore! Trusted Source.

Safety tip:

Due to the risk of infant botulism, a severe but rare form of food poisoning, you should never give honey to a child younger than a year old.

Tools needed:

Medium - large sauce pan - you need a larger sauce pan because this recipe bubbles up and you do not want it to pour over the sides (it will be a sticky mess!)
Measuring cups and spoons
Candy thermometer - absolutely imperative! Your honey must reach 300 degrees F or 148 ° C to reach the hard crack stage necessary for making hard candy.
Lollypop mold
Candy sticks

Ingredients:

1 cup Honey
2 tablespoons Cream of tartar - to help prevent the candy from cracking. Works like a charm!
2 tablespoons dried elderberries
1 tablespoon dried rose hips
Zest of one orange
Optional: fresh ginger slice

How to make honey tea spoons:

This recipe starts with infused honey. Learn all about herb and flower infused honey here.

Add your elderberry and rose hips in a clean jar, then cover it with your favorite local raw honey. It can sit and infuse from overnight - up to six weeks for more intense flavor. The honey mixture will infuse and take on new flavors and the health benefits of berries and rose hips.
Start by pouring your honey into your sauce pan, add in cream of tartar if using.
Prepare your candy molds by adding sticks into your mold before you start. I love these wooden candy sticks because they look so fancy and hold up well.
Heat your honey over low-medium heat with a candy thermometer immersed. Heat until honey reaches 300 ° F or 148 ° C. Do this very slowly, it will take some time. If you heat your honey too quickly it will taste scorched. If it seems your honey isn't increasing in temperature, slowly and surely increase your heat. It's a labor of love. Candy making quickly goes from "done" to "burnt" so watch closely and increase very slowly, mixing continuously. It usually takes me about 10 minutes, and I usually have to slightly increase my temperature around five minutes and then am able to reduce it before my honey reaches 300 ° F. This is why a candy thermometer is necessary, if your honey doesn't reach this temperature the spoons will not harden and melt when removed from their molds.
Once your honey has reached 300 ° F turn off your heat and give your honey a good stir until the bubbles have settled. After your honey reaches the "hard crack" stage, it hardens quickly. Pour the honey into your prepared lollipop molds and let them sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Either way, they should harden nicely if your honey reached the threshold temperature necessary for hard candy. Let sit for 2 hours or until candy is completely hardened. Remove carefully from mold and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions:

How do I store honey lollipops when they're done?

The honey lollipops will be slightly sticky, like any hard candy would be. I personally store all of ours in a storage container in the fridge for up to three months. Their stickiness does not cause them to stick together in a way I can not easily remove them in my experience.

How do I individually wrap them for gifting?

If you're planning to gift them, use some cellophane wrap, like these small lollipop wrappers with twist ties.

How long do they keep for?

Store up to one month at room temperature. Or up to three months in the refrigerator. Or up to six months in the freezer.

Can I freeze these honey candies?

Yes. I would individually wrap each pop to prevent freezer burn.

Can I add or omit anything from the recipe?

Absolutely. Cream of tartar is helpful, but not necessary. And you can add any flavors you want in these all natural lollipops! Add in the flavor after you've turned off the heat, right before stirring the bubbles away.

Variation inspiration:

Add lemon and ginger or any other herbs you desire.
Add some edible flowers in your lollipop mold for beautiful edible flower lollipops. You may also love these Edible Flower Lollipops For Party Favors.